Warsaw Sports Marketing Center Events

The Warsaw Center provides students hands on opportnities to gain relevant sports marketing experience through three marquee events, multiple trips and alumni and guest visits.

Marquee Events

Warsaw Classic

Since 1998, students have organized an annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the floor of Historic Mac Court at the University of Oregon. Originally an event to raise funds for Parkinson's Disease research in honor of our founder Jim Warsaw, the event now supports the Stephen Dember Memorial Scholarship. Stephen was an active member of both the U of O student "Pit Crew" at basketball games and the Warsaw Sports Business Club before passing away in an accident in 2005. Students manage and execute every aspect of the tournament including grassroots marketing, team recruitment, event operations and sponsorship.

Women in Sports Business Symposium

Over the past decade, the Women in Sports Business Symposium has become a cornerstone in the achievement of Jim Warsaw's vision to encourage more women to join the sports industry. In addition, the Symposium gives Oregon students the chance to celebrate and honor business leaders of today. Thanks to community support and participation of some of the most influential women in sports, the Symposium has grown in scope and national relevance.

In 2005, the Symposium began honoring a woman in the industry through the Women in Sports Business Symposium Woman of the Year Award. This year, the Warsaw Center and Symposium honored Sue Rodin, Founder & National President of WISE Managing Director of LeadDog Marketing Group, as the 2009 Women in Sports Business Woman of the Year.

Jog for Jim 5k

For the last four years, MBA students have led an effort to establish an annual 5k road race in "Track Town USA" to bring more attention and raise funds for Parkinson's Disease research. In 2009, the students partnered with the Eugene Marathon and the Michael J. Fox Foundation to add the Jog for Jim to the Eugene Marathon Weekend resulting in an increase in participation and runner donations to the cause. Since 2006, the race has generated more than $75,000 for Parkinson's Disease research.

MBA Trips

San Francisco

Every April, first year MBA students have the opportunity to go to the bay area and visit with sponsorship agencies, apparel companies and teams from the NFL, MLB and NBA.

New York, Baltimore and DC

Second year MBA students begin the winter term with a trip to the east coast to visit with media and apparel companies, agencies, teams and leagues and other movers and shakers in the sports industry.

China

Each summer the second year class visits China for 2 weeks to learn about the culture and intricacies of sports business in China. The visit is highlighted by visits with major brands, teams and leagues from both China and the United States as well as cultural trips to the Great Wall, Beijing's Forbidden City and other landmarks.

Guests

The Warsaw Center hosts a stream of industry professionals throughout the year. Speakers are typically alums and friends of the program and work in a wide range of sports industries from players to consultants to team and brand executives.

Visit our Experiential Learning page for more information about student experiences with these events .